Himalayan News Service

Banke, June 24:

One child was killed and 11 persons, including seven security men, were injured in an encounter between the security forces and Maoists in Nepalgunj yesterday. According to the Royal Nepal Army’s (RNA) mid-western divisional headquarters, the clash ensued when Maoists hiding near Tribhuvan chowk hurled socket bombs at a patrolling RNA team from Kalidal battalion. Seven-year-old, Neha Gadariya, who was injured in the incident, died while undergoing treatment in the Bheri zonal hospital. Her parents — Mewa Lal and Suklari Gadariya — were also injured in the clash. They are residents of Kanpur, India, and had been working in Nepalgunj’s Little Hunger Hotel. The other civilians injured in the incident are Bhawani Kandel of Bardiya Bhuri VDC, and head of the documentation section of INSEC, Nepalgunj, Bishnu Thapa. They have been admitted to the Bheri zonal hospital. RNA’s Major Gopal Thapa said seven soldiers had sustained injuries on their legs. He claimed the army had only blank-fired and blamed the girl’s death and the injuries to civilians on the Maoists.